Briquet machine



I G. KOM REK. BRIQUET MACHINE. APPLICATION rlLEp Aue.2|, 1920.

Pamed Feb. 7, 1922.

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BRIQUET MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED Aue.21 1920.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

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BRIOUET MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2I, 1920.

Patented Feb. 7, 1'922.

G. KOMAREK. BRIQUET MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUGH'H. 1920.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

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PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV KOMAREK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BYVMESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

MALCOLMSON-ENGINEERING AND MACHINE CORPORATION, .OE ST. LOUIS, MIS- BRIQUET MACHINE.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

Application filed August 21, 1920. `Serial No. 404.979.

To aZZ 'wzom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUs'rAV KOMAREK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Briquet Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification. y

My invention relates generally to briqueting machinery, and more particularly to that type of briquet forming machine known as a Belgium roll press The principal objects of my invention are, to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the existing and generally used forms of Belgium roll presses that are utilized in the production of'fuel briquets; to provide a relatively simple, strong, and (hu-able structure that 'is very compact and capable of being continuously operated at a speed which will produce a relatively large output of briquets; to provide a construction of press which will tend to' minimize its cost of manufacture; to provide and arrange the briquet forming rolls so that the same will in operation produce briquets of uniform size and density; and to construct the machine so that it can be economically operated in so' far as the consumption of power is concerned.

Further objects of my invention are, to combine with the press a relatively simple and effieient feeding mechanism including a box or receptacle in which is arranged for rotation a pair of paddle carrying shafts, said paddles acting to thoroughly agitate and stir the mixture of briqueting material that is delivered into the box or receptacle; to provide relatively simple and readily adjustable means for regulating the feed of the briqueting material to the forming rolls, which material feeding means includes a throat that extends from 'the lower portion of the box 'or receptacle downwardly between the forming rolls; and to generally construct the material feeding box or receptacle so as to facilitate and expedite the handling of the hriqneting material just prior to its delivery to the forming rolls.

Still further objects of my invention are, to provide an improved briquet press and material feeding box wherein the various parts entering into the construction if the complete machine may be readily assembled or taken apart, thereby'facilitating the work 1nc1dent to the repair-s, adjustments, or renewal of parts; and, further, to provide a brlquet press which will very efectively perform its intended functions and which will operate automatically without requiring the attention Vof an operator after the various adjustable parts have been positioned for use.

view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- F igure 1 is a top plan View of a briquet press of my improved construction.

-Figure 2 is a side-elevational view of the press.

Figure 3 is a Vertical section taken approximately on the line 3-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged Vertical section taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

lFigure 5 is an enlarged detail section taken approximately onV the line 5-5 of F igure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross section taken approximately on the line (5-6 of Figure 1'.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying dra-wingsv which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, 10 designates the side frames of the press, the same being substantially rectangular in form and of hollow box-like structure, and asV these frames are not subjected to any relatively high strains or stresses, they may, for the purpose of minimizing cost of manufacture be formed from cast iron or the like. These side frames are united or tied to each other at suitable points by transverse frames or ebeams 11.V Formed in the upper portions of these side frames are transversely disposed substantially U-shaped housings 12 that are adapted to receive-the boxes 13 and 14 in which the trunnions of the briquet forming rolls `are journaled.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in Boxes 18 are rigidly fiXed within their housings 12 and the boxes 14 are loosely mounted in order that they may move toward and away from said boxes 13..

Positioned on top of each side frame 10 is a substantially hollow longitudinally disposed rail or beam 15, the end walls 16 of which extend downward over the upper portions of the end walls of the side frames. Inasmuch as. these beams 15 perform the functions of tie or tension bars to absorb the stresses setup by the pressure rolls while the same are in operation, said beams or rails should be formed of steel or analogous metal. Depending from these beams are substantially inverted U-shaped housings 17 which cooperate with the housings 12 to enclose the journal boxes 13 and 14.

J ournaled'in the boxes 13 and 14 are the trunnions of the briquet forming rolls, each of which comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical body portion 19 that is positioned between the side frames 10 and said cylindrical body portion carrying on its outer face a removable mold ring 19a, preferably formed of hardened metal. This mold ring may be formed in a single piece, as illustrated, or it may be formed in sections properly assembled on the cylindrical body of the roller, and formed in the outer face of each mold ring is a plurality of briquet forming pockets or cavities 20 and the pock- Vets or cavities of one ring'coinciding with those in the Companion ring. (See Fig. 6.) Obviously, these mold cavities may be made of any desired size and shape.

It will be noted that the side and end Walls of each beam ;15 extend downwardly over the upper portions of the side and end walls of the side frame 10, and thus said beam materially reinforces the upper portion of the frame and it acts as a combined strain and tie bar for the upper portion of the side frame and relieving the latter of the strains and stresses set up in the machine during operation.

Formed in corresponding ends of the side frames 10 are horizontally disposed inwardly projecting recesses or pockets 21 and arranged in each pocket are compression Springs 22, the same being preferably nested.

A transversely disposed beam or rail 23 c is arranged adjacent to the ends of the frames 10 so that its ends receive and. bear upon the outer ends of the two sets of nestedV springs 22. Arranged in the lower portion of each side frame 10 is a horizontally disposed longitudinally extending rod 24, the outer end portion of which passes through the corresponding nest of springs and throughthe end portion of beam 28, and the threaded outer end of each of these rods receives a nut such as 25, the same bearing against the outer face of said beam.

Arranged in the upper portion of the opposite end of each side frame is a vertically disposed lever such as 26, the upper end ofA which is fulcrumed on transversely disposed pin 27 that is seated in the corresponding end portion of the tension rail or beam 15, and the lower end of each of these levers is pivotally connected to the end of the corresponding rod 24.

Formed in the outer portions of the walls of the housings 12 that are adjacent to the levers 26 are'horizontally disposed apertures such as 28 and loosely arranged in each aperture is a pin 29, the outei` end thereof bearing directly against the inner face of the adjacent lever 26 and the inner end of said pin bearing against the adjacent face of the movable journal box 14v.

By virtue of the construction just described, each sliding journal box 14 is under spring tension, the latter being delivered through one of the rods 24, corresponding lever 26, and corresponding pin 29, and the tension of the two sets of springs is equalized through the transversely disposed rail or beam 28. Further, my vi'mproyed construction permits either one or more Springs to be positioned in each pocket 21 and by arranging the springs, rods and levers in the side frames 10,1 am able to economize space and therefore produce a very compact structure. Further, any sud-den strains or stresses produced by the passage p of foreign objects which may accidentally enter theV feed box and pass between the briquet forming rolls will be transmitted through Vthe levers 26`to the beams or frames ioo upper portions of frames 10 above the spring poclrets 21 is a transversely disposec shaft 30 onjone end of which is fixed a ,relatively large gear wheel 31 and which latter meshes with a pinion 32 that is secured to the end of a shaft 88. This shaft 33 is journaled in the lower portions of the side frames 10 and is power-driven in any suitable manner. Fixed on the trunnions 18 of the briquet forming rolls that project beyond one of the side frames of the machine are meshing gear Wheels 34 and meshing with one of the latter is a pinion 35 that is carried by the corresponding end of shaft 30. Thus as driving shaft 33 is operated, the briquet forming rolls willbe driv'en at thel same rate of speed toward each other and the driving connections for said rolls including the pinion 32, gear wheel 31, shaft 30, pinion 35, and gear Wheels 34. a

Formed integral with or fixed to the central portions of the top rails or beams 15 are upwardly projecting frames 36 which include longitudinally disposed side walls 37 and these frames constituting the base or support for' the briquet material mixing and feeding box. a

Sec-ured in any suitable manner on top of this base frame is the combined niixingl and feeding box, the same comprising a pair of side walls 39 and a pair of end walls 40, the lower portions of which latter are curved inwardly as design'ated by 41.

Removably positioned and rigidly held in any suitable manner between the upper portions of the side walls 37 of the base frame 3G and the lower edges of the side walls 39 of the feeding box are longitudinally disposed rails 42, preferably'of hardened metal, and the same serving as guides for the adjustable members that form the bottomand feeding throat of the combined mixing and feeding box.

The central portions of the side walls 37 of base frame 36 are provided with openings that are normally closed by readily movable plates 43, the same Vbeing provided with depending portions 44 which extend downwardly past the adj-acent central portions of the beams or rails 15. Extending transversely through the central portions of these beams or rails 15 are adjustable rods or screw bolts 45 provided on their'outer portions with lock nuts 46 and the inner ends of said rods or bolts bearing against the lower portions of the depending members 44 and serving to reinforce and strengthen said depending portions and prevent any lateral deflection thereof as the material is fed downwardly through the throat of the machine and into the coinciding mold cavities or rings 19.

The means utilized for providing an adjustable feed opening and throat for my improved briquet machine comprises' horizontally disposed plates 47 preferably of hardened metal, the same being arranged for horizontal sliding` movement against the inner faces of the guide or bearing rails 42 and said plates being supported upon fianges 48 that project inwardly from side plates 37 immediately to the sides of the central openings therein, and which latter are closed by the plates 43.

The upper surfaces of the plates 47 are made concave as designated by 49 and the curvature of said concave surfaces coincides with the curvaturerof the inner faces of the inwardly projecting portions 41 of end walls 40. Thus the bottom of the combined mixing and feeding box has the general shape of a pair of transversely disposed shallow troughs through which 'the lower portions of the mixing to ass.

rlhe inner edges of plates 47 are cut away or formed on angles so that the space between said edges gradually increasesv in width from the center of the box toward the side walls thereof, which construction is cmployed in order to facilitate the passage of the briqueting material downwardly into and through the throat and depending from these angular inner edges of the plates 47 are vertically disposed plates 50. These plates are formed so that the space between them gradually increases in width toward their lower ends and which latter terminate immediately adjacent to the peripheries of the mold rings 19 and at a point just above the plane occ-upied by the axes of said rings and which latter is the point of highest pressure that is. applied to the briquets.

The means utilized for simultaneously adjusting the -positions of plates 47 and depending plates 50, the space between which latter constitutes the throat through which the material is fed to the forming rolls, includes transversely disposed levers 51 that are fulcrumed to suitably located brackets 52 on one side of the feeding box and pivotally connected to the central portions of said levers are horizontally disposed rods 53 that extend inwardly toward each other and their inner ends being seated in the outer edges of plates 47. i a

Pivotally carried by the ends of the levers 51 opposite their fulcrumed ends are blocks 54 and through which pass the right and lefthand threaded portions 55 of a horizontally disposed longitudinally extending rod or shaft 56. This shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 57 that Vproject from the side of the feed box andicarried by one end of said shaft is a hand wheel58.

Journaled in suitable bearings that are formed in the side walls 39 of the feed box are transversely disposed shafts 59 and carried by the latter and arranged within the feed box are suitable stirring and mixing paddles 60. These paddles may be of any desired form and shape, although I prefe?` to construct them in the form of inclined blades, which project radially from the shafts and said-blades being of such length as to travel in paths which overlap each other a substantial distance between the axes of the shafts, and the outer ends'of said blades or paddles traveling in paths immediately adjacent to t-he'concave surfaces 49 of plates 47 and likewise adjacent to the curved inner faces'of the Vportions 41 of end walls 40.

Fixed' on the projecting ends of the shafts 59 at one side of the machine are mesh'ing gear Wheels 61 and carried by the projectingv end of one of said shafts on the opposite side oft'the machine is asprocket wheel 62 around paddles are adapted which passes a sprocket Chain v63 and the latter passing around a sprocket wheel 64 that is carried by shaft 80.

The operation of my improved briquet press is as follows:

As power is imparted to shaft 38, pinion 32 drives gear wheel 31, thereby efi'eCting rotary motion to shaft 30, and pinion 35 carried by said'shaft drives the meshing gear wheels 34 that are fixed on the t-runnions of the briquet forming rolls. Thus the forming rolls are driven at the same rateof speed toward each otherv as indicated by arrows a, in Figure 6. Rotary motion fro-m shaft 30 is transmitted to shaft 59 that carries sprocket wheel 62 by means of sprocket Chain. 63, and through meshing pinions 61, the opposite shaft 69 is driven and thedriving connections are such that the shafts 59 that carry the combined stirring and feeding paddles are simultaneo'usly -driven at the same rate 'of speed and said shafts traveling in the direction indicated by the arrows Z) in F igure 6.

The briquet material is delivered in any suitable manner into the feed box or'receptacle 'and as the stirring paddles operate therein, said materialwill be very thoroughly agitated and mixed, and at the same time gradually fed toward the transverse bottom portion of the Chamber within the feed box o-r into position directly over the throat that leads i down-wardly between the plates {17 and 50.

The material after passing into and downwardly through this throat which is slightly wider at its bottom than at its top is delivered directly into' the mold cavities 20 in the peripheries of rings 19 and said material is compressed in said cavities to form the briquets and after the la-tter pass the point of highest compression and which point is coincident with a horizontalplane passing through the axes of the forming rollers, the pressure on said briquets will be relieved and they will, after passing a short distance below the point of highest pressure, discharge into a suitable reoeptacle or onto a conveyor.

The forming roll that isjournaled in the sliding boxes 14 is held' in proper operative position with respect to the other roll .by the tension ofthe Springs 22 and the latter acting through the parts 24:, 26 and 29 to yieldinglyresist any movement of the boxes 14 and forming roll associated therewith'away from the opposite boxes and forming roll.

The plates 4:7, and 50 constituting the adjustable discharge opening and throat for the briqueting material are simultaneously adjusted toward and away from each other by proper manipulation of the hand wheel 58, for, Vby rotating the same, the levers are simultaneously swung upon their fulcrums, thereby moving said plates 4:7 and 50 toward or away from each other. The opening between the inner edges of the plates 47 gradually increases in width from its center toward the sides of the feed box and such construci terial near the sides of the feed box will be p practically the same as the downward movement ofV said material at the center of said box, and consequently insuring uniform filling` of the mold cavities throughout the width of the forming rolls. 1

The top beams ormembers 15 in addition to relieving the cast iron side frames 10v of strains and stresses set up during operation of the machine, a-ct as housings for the upper portions of the journal bearings'13 and 14 and in addition said beams provide a firm and substantial support for the material feeding box and partsassociated therewith.

The plates 43 may be readily removed from the lower portions of the side vwalls of the feed box, thereby giving access to the throat through which the briqueting material passes.

The radii of the concave top surfaces of the plates 17 is greater than the radii of the paths of travel of the outer endsof the paddles 60 and therefore said plates 47 can be adjusted toward andaway from each other for a considerable v distance without interfering with the free operation of the stirring i and mixing paddles; i

During operation, the-outer ends of the' paddles travel toward and directly over the upper end of the throat through which the briqueting material passes to the mold cavi-v ties, and as a'result, there is no tendency of the material to accumulate around the edges of the discharge opening or opening into the throat, and which action would otherwise prevent a uniform feed of the mixture o into the throat.l

A briquet forming machine of my improved construction is comparatively simple, can be operated with relatively little power, is effective in producing briquets which have uniform Vdensity throughout their bodies, is capable' of being readily adjusted so as to suit varying conditions, andas the machine s can be operated continuously, a Comparatively large tonnage of briquets can be produced within a given length of time.

It will be readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of rny improve-d briquet forming machine can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a briquet machine, a frame, strain resisting members arranged on top of'the side members of said frame, pairs of journal boXes arranged between said frame and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal boxes being arranged to move toward and away from the other pair, briquet forming rolls journaled in said boxes, levers fulcrumed on said strain resisting members for resisting the movement of the movable pair of journal boxes away from the other pair, and yielding pressure means for resisting the swing'ing' movement of said levers.

2. In a briquet machine, a frame, strain resisting members arranged on top of the side members of said frame, pairs of ournal boXes arranged between said frame and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal boXes being arranged to move to- Ward and away from the other pair, briquet forming rolls journaled in said boXes, and

'spring-held levers fulcrumed on 'the strain resisting members and arranged to yieldingly resist the movement of the movable pair of journal boxes away from the other pair.

l3. In a briquet machine, a frame, strain resisting members arranged on top of the side members of said frame, pairs of journal boXes arranged between said frame and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal boXes being arranged to move toward and' away from the other pair, briquet forming rolls journaled in said boxes, levers fulcrumed on said strain resisting members for resisting the movement of the movable pair of journal boxes away from the other pair, yielding pressure means for resisting the swinging movement of said levers, and a material mixing and feeding box supported by said strain resisting members above the forming rolls. v

4:. In a briquet machine, a frame, strain resisting members arranged on top of the side members of said frame, pairs of journal boxes arranged between said frame and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal boxes being arranged to move toward and away from the other pair, briquet forming rolls j ournaled in said boxes, springheld levers fulcrumed on the strain resisting members and arranged to yieldingly resist the movement of the movable pair of ournal boxes away from the other pair, and a material mixing and feeding'box supported by said strain resisting members above the forming rolls.

5. In a briquet `machine, a pair of connected side frames, strain resisting members arranged on the upper portion of each` boxes being movable toward and away from side frame, spring-held levers fulcrumed on said strain resisting members, journal boxes arranged between' the side frames and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal the other pair, forming rolls journaled in said journal boxes, and connections between said levers and the movable journal boXes.

6. In a briquet machine, a pair of connected side frames, strain resisting members arranged on the upper portion of each side frame, spring-held levers fulcrumed on said strain resisting members, journal boxes arranged between the side frames and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal boxes being movable toward and away from the other pair, forming rolls journaled in said journal boxes, connections between said levers and the movable journal boxes, and a material feeding and mixing' box supported by said strain resisting members .and arranged above the forming rolls.

7. In a briquet machine, a pair of connected side frames, a strain resisting member arranged on the upper portion of each side frame, pairs of journal boXes mounted between said side frames and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal boxes being arranged to move toward and away from the other pair, forming' rolls journaledV in said boxes, a lever fulcrumed to each strain resisting member and extending downwardly into the adjacent side frame, a pin interposed between each lever and the adjacent movable journal bearing, a rod pivotally con-- 100 nected to the lower portion of each lever and eXtending through the corresponding side frame, a transverse member connecting the outer ends of the rods, and Springs interposed between said transverse member and 105 the side frames. p

8. In a briquet machine, a pair of connected side frames, a strain resisting member arranged on the upper portion of each side frame, pairs of journal boxes mounted be- 110 tween said side frames and strain resisting' members, one pair of said journal boxes being arranged to move toward and awayfrom the other pair, forming rolls journaled in said boxes, a lever fulcrumed to each strain 115 resisting member and extending downwardly into the adjacent side frame, a pin interposed between each lever and the adjacent movable journal bearing, a rodl pivotally connected to the lower portion of each lever 120 and extending through the: corresponding side frame, a transverse` member connecting the outer ends of the rods, Springs interposed lbetween said transverse member and the side frame, pairsof journal boxes mounted between said side frames and strain resisting members, one pair of said journal boxes'being arranged to move toward and away from the other pair, forming rolls journaled in said boxes, a lever fulcrumed to each strain resisting member and extendingI downwardly into the adjacent side frame, a pin interpose'd between each lever and the adjacent movable journal bearing, a rod pivotally connected to the lower portion of each lever and extending through the corresponding side frame, a transverse member connecting the outer ends of the rods, springs interposed between said transverse member and the side frames, a material feeding box supported by the strain resisting members and arranged above the forming rolls, and means for simultaneously driving the forming rolls.

10. In a briquet machine, a pair of cooperating rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a combined mixing and feeding box positioned above said rolls, cooperating sets of stirring paddles arranged for operation within said feeding box, and a pair of substantially inverted L-shaped plates forming the bottom of said box.

11. In a briquet machine, a pair of co- Operating rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a combined mixing and feeding box positioned above said rolls, cooperating sets of stirring paddles arranged for operation within said feeding box, a pair of substantially inverted L-shaped plates forming the bottom of said box, and means for adjusting said plates so as to regulate the width of the discharge opening and throat between them.

12. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of cooperating forming rolls provided in their peripheries with mol-d eavities, of a combined material mixing andV feeding box arranged above said rolls, cooperating' sets of stirring and mixing paddles arranged for operation within said box, and horizontally disposed adjustable plates forming the bottom of said box, said plates having downwardly extending flanges forming a throat which is widest at its bottom.

13. In a briquet machine, the combination Vwith a pair of cooperating forming rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a combined material mixing' and feedmg box arranged above said rolls, cooperatmg sets of stirring and mixing paddles arranged for operation within said box, horizontally disposed adjustable plates forming the bottom of said box, and plates depending -from the inner edges of said adjustable plates.

14. In a briquet machine, the combination Vwith a pair of cooperating forming -rolls' provided in their peripheries with mold cavlties, of acombined material mixing and feeding box arranged above said rolls, cooperating sets of stirring and mixing paddles arranged for operation within said box, horizontally disposed adjustable plates forming the bottom of said box, and the space between the inner edges of which plates gradually increases in width toward the sides of the' box.

15. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of cooperating forming rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a. combined material mixing and feedingI box arranged' above said rolls, cooperating sets of stirring and mixing' paddles arranged for operation within said'box, horizontally disposed adjustabie plates forming the bottom of'said box, and plates depending from the inner edges of said adjustable plates, and which last mentioned plates are inclined so that the space'between them gradually increases in width toward their lower ends. p

16. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of cooperating rolls provided in their pcripheries with inold cavities, of a combined mixing and feeding box disposed above the forming rolls, and formed with a double-curved bottom, there being a discharge opening at the point of intersection of the curves of said bottom, cooperating sets of stirring paddles arranged for operation within said box and on each side of said discharge opening and adjustable means for producing a variabledischarge through said opening and throat leading from the bottom of the box downwardly between said forming rolls. p

17. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pairof cooperating rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a combined mixing and feeding box disposed above the forming rolls, cooperating sets of stirring paddles arranged for operation within said box, and a pair of adjustable members forming the bottom of said box,=

which members are provided in their upper surfaces with transversely disposed grooves that are traversed by the outer ends of the stirring paddles.

18. In a briquet machine,,the combination with a pair of cooperating rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a combined mixing and feeding box disposed above the forming rolls, cooperating sets of stirring paddles arrangedl for operation within'said box, a pair of adjustable members forming the bottom of said box, which members are provided in their upper surfaoes with transversely disposed grooves that are traversed by the outer ends of the stirring paddles, and plates depending from the inner edges of said adjustable members to form a material feeding throat that leads downwardly between the forming rolls.

19, In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of cooperating forming rolls, of a feed box disposed above said rolls and having a discharge opening above the pass between the rolls, a pair of shafts passing through said feed box,l which shafts are substantially parallel with each other and with the axes of the forming rolls, and a series of combined stirring and feeding paddles carried by each shaft,` said paddles having intersecting arcs of movement and traveling in close proximity to the bottom walls of the feed box and immediately over said discharge opening.

20. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of cooperating forming rolls, of a feed box disposed above said rolls, a pair of shafts passing through said feed box, which shafts are substantially parallel with each other and with the axes of the forming rolls, a series of combined stirring and feeding paddles carried by each shaft, and there being a material feeding throat leading from the bottom of the box downwardly between said forming rolls, said throat being wider at its bottom than at its top.

21. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of cooperating forming rolls provided in their peripheries vwith mold cavities, of a feed box disposed above said rolls, adjustable members forming the bottom of the box and having curved recesses in their upper faces to accommodate the travel of the paddles, the inner edges of said members being spaced apart to form a feed opening, shafts journaled in the feed box, a-nd combined stirring and feeding paddles carried by said shafts, the outer edges of which paddles traverse intersecting paths which pass over the discharge opening formed between the adjustable members at the bottom of the box.

22. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of forming rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a feed box disposed above said forming rolls, adjustable members forming the bottom of the box, the space between the inner edges of said members forming a discharge opening, means depending from said members to form a throat below said discharge opening, said dscharge opening gradually increasing in width from its center toward the sides of the box and the width of the throat gradually increasing toward its lower end.

23. In a briquet machine, the combination with a pair of forming rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a feed box disposed above said forming rolls, substantially inverted L-shaped plates forming the bottom of said box, the space between the inner edges of said plates forming the material discharge opening, a throat leading downwardly between the forming rolls, and means for simultaneously adjusting said plates toward and away from each other.

24. In a bri uet machine, the combination with a pair of orming rolls provided in their peripheries with mold cavities, of a feed box disposed above said forming rolls, substantially inverted L-shaped plates forming the bottom of said box, the space between the inner edges of said plates forming the material discharge opening, a throat leading downwardly between the forming rolls, means for simultaneously adjusting said plates toward and away from each other, and there being transversely disposed grooves formed in the tops of said plates.

25. In a briquet machine, the combination with briquet forming rolls, of a material feeding box arranged above-said rolls and provided with a feed opening or shutter, a pair of shafts located above and parallel with the central line of said feed opening, and feeding or mixing arms carried by said shafts and adapted to travel directly over said. feed opening.

26. In a briquet machine, the combination with briquet forming rolls, of a feeding box arranged above said forming rolls, feeding and mixing paddles arranged for operation in said box, adjustable members located under said box and adapted to form the feed opening through which the material is discharged from said box, said adj ustable members being so arranged that they form a troughv in which said feeding arms traverse or travel.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 16th day of August, 1920.

GUSTAV KOMAREK. 

